Evaluation of venous blood gas levels, blood chemistry and haemocytometric parameters in milk fed veal calves at different periods of livestock cycle.

An evaluation of blood chemistry profile in relation to specific stages of livestock cycle can help better understand variations in physiological conditions in order to adjust management systems to animal needs. In addition to basal hematological investigation, the acid-base balance and blood gases are essential tools in evaluating metabolism in calves. The relationship between blood gas parameters, diet and growth should be further investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in acid-base status, blood gases, serum chemistry and hematological parameters in veal calves at different periods of livestock cycle. One hundred twenty-eight healthy cross breeding calves were enrolled in a farm in North-East Italy. Blood samplings were carried out from the jugular vein on day 1 (t1), 60 (t2) and 150 (t3) after arrival. Blood gas analysis was performed and hematological parameters were evaluated. One-way ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer post-hoc test were performed to assess differences between blood parameter values at the different periods. The main differences in blood gas parameter levels during the livestock cycle concerned pH, Base Excess and HCO3 with higher values recorded in t3. Urea, creatinine, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and bilirubin mean values were significantly higher in t1 than in t2 and t3. Aspartate aminotransferase increased from t1 to t2 and t3. Alkaline Phosphatase was higher in t2. Fe levels severely dropped in t2 and in t3, and the decrease led to a restrained but significant reduction in haemoglobin values. A correspondent decrease in the other haemocytometric parameters was found.

Integrated evaluation of scrotal temperature and testosteronemia after GnRH administration in young bulls with low semen production.

The aim of this study was to determine the suitability of thermographic monitoring of scrotal surface temperature (SST) as a method to monitor testicular function. Yearling bulls (n = 23) with low semen production were selected. Scrotal surface temperature and serum testosterone (T) concentrations were evaluated before and after administration of 10.5 µg buserelin acetate IV. Thermographic images of scrotum were recorded at 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min post-GnRH, while blood sampling was only performed at 60 min post-GnRH. Bulls were divided in two groups: LowTemp bulls (n = 10) had a decreased SST at 60 min; HighTemp bulls (n = 13) had an increased SST. After 60 min, LowTemp bulls had higher T concentrations compared to HighTemp bulls: 14.32 ng/ml ± 0.53 vs 10.30 ± 1.37 ng/ml (mean ± SEM; p < 0.05), respectively. Reproductive performances in both groups improved after GnRH administration, resulting in an increased number of inseminating doses from each collection, which was higher in LowTemp bulls. Pearson correlation test showed a negative relationship between T and SST (r = -0.554). In conclusion, a decreased scrotal surface temperature 60 min after GnRH treatment was associated with improved semen production.

Alpaca semen quality in relation to different diets.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the biochemical composition of seminal plasma, along with semen quality, of alpacas maintained on different diets (hay; hay+pasture grazing; pasture grazing+sheep concentrate; pasture grazing+horse concentrate; Periods 1-4, respectively). Alpacas (n=5) were fed the four different diets for a period of 6 weeks each. During the period of feeding of each diet, semen was collected using an artificial vagina to determine its volume, viscosity, sperm concentration and sperm motility. Moreover, testicular volume and body condition score were evaluated. Seminal plasma was analysed biochemically to measure total protein, triglyceride, cholesterol, γ-glutamyl transferase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase levels. Protein profiles were investigated using one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. There was high variability in semen parameters between different males maintained on the same diet. Semen volume increased significantly (P<0.05) when alpacas were fed diets containing commercial sheep and horse concentrates. In contrast, sperm concentration and motility decreased significantly (P<0.05) from Period 1 to Period 4. Dietary changes had no effect on viscosity. Significant reductions were seen in triglyceride and cholesterol content, as well as γ-glutamyl transferase, ALT and alkaline phosphatase concentrations, from Period 1 to Period 4. Regardless of experimental period, a wide variation was seen in seminal plasma enzyme concentrations between alpacas, whereas diet had no effect on glucose and total protein concentrations in the seminal plasma. Eight protein bands, with molecular weights ranging from 200 to 14kDa, were considered in electrophoresis gel after image analysis. Proteins fractions of the 14-kDa (total protein express in mddL(-1) with a molecular weight of 14-kDa, TP8) and 21-kDa (total protein express in mddL(-1) with a molecular weight of 21-kDa, TP7) bands were not present in all samples of alpaca seminal plasma. There were no significant changes in the concentration of any protein fractions during the four periods. Moreover, the protein fraction of the 60-kDa (total protein express in mddL(-1) with a molecular weight of 60-kDa, TP3) band was the most prevalent in all periods. These results demonstrate that there are marked changes in semen quality, as well as some parameters related to the composition of alpaca seminal plasma, that are dependent on diet, which may indicate the need for specific diet formulation to improve reproductive performance. We hypothesise that, in alpacas, the mechanisms underlying the changes in some reproductive traits in response to feeding regimens could be related to changes in the endocrine-gonadal system.

Analysis of serum proteins in clinically healthy goats (Capra hircus) using agarose gel electrophoresis.

BACKGROUND: Electrophoretic patterns of serum proteins provide useful information on pathological conditions in ruminants. Their reference values, however, are dissimilar to those of other species. Reference values for goats using agarose gel as the supporting matrix have not been reported. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum concentrations of total protein and protein fractions (albumin and globulins) by means of agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE) in goats in order to establish electrophoretic reference intervals and to evaluate potential changes associated with aging. METHODS: Blood was collected from 105 clinically healthy Girgentana goats by means of jugular venipuncture. Serum protein concentrations were assessed by AGE. Three age groups were compared: 1-1.5 years, 2-4 years, and 5-12 years. RESULTS: Values (mean ± SD) were determined for concentrations of total protein (72.26 ± 6.40 g/L), albumin (31.80 ± 4.00 g/L), α-globulins (6.40 ± 1.23 g/L), ß(1) -globulins (10.50 ± 2.58 g/L), ß(2) -globulins (5.18 ± 1.60 g/L), and γ-globulins (18.65 ± 5.90 g/L) and for albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio (0.82 ± 0.20). One-way ANOVA showed statistically significant age-related differences for total protein and α-globulin concentrations and A/G ratios. Age influenced protein concentrations with the 5-12-year-old group having higher total protein and α-globulin concentrations and lower albumin concentration and A/G ratios than the 2-4-year-old group. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides reference values for total protein concentrations and protein fractions obtained by AGE in goats. Some values vary with age. Age-specific reference intervals are reported in order to provide clinicians with an additional diagnostic aid.

Preparation and local anaesthetic activity of N-[2-(tert-amino)ethyl]- and N-(lupinyl)-benzotriazol-1/2-ylacetamides.

Two sets of N-[2-(tert-amino)ethyl]- and N-[(quinolizidin-1 alpha-yl) methyl]-benzotriazol-2-ylacetamides, bearing substituents on position 5 or 5 and 6, were prepared and tested for local anaesthetic activity in comparison with lidocaine. Most of the prepared compounds exhibited a fairly good activity comparable or superior to that of lidocaine. The introduction of substituents on the benzene ring and the replacement of the usual tert-amino alkyl chains with the quinolizidin-1 alpha-ylmethyl (lupinyl) moiety were quite profitable for both the intensity and duration of activity. One selected compound was subjected to a large pharmacological screening and found endowed with a good level of the purported antiarrhythmic activity without any other disturbing activity.

7-(N-substituted)amino-2,3-polymethylene benzofurane derivatives with tracheal relaxant activity.

A set of twelve 7-(N-substituted)amino-2,3-polymethylenebenzofuranes (1-12) together with three related compounds (13-15) was prepared. Ten selected compounds were tested for tracheal relaxant activity in vitro and two of them (6,7) were also subjected to a broad pharmacological screening. Five compounds (2,7,9,12,14) at the concentration of 30 micrograms/ml exhibited high tracheal relaxant activity (73-94% tone reduction) that was superior than that of theophylline at the same concentration. The 7-(N-trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amino-2,3-tetramethylenebenzofuran e (9) was highly active till the concentration of 1 microgram/ml giving a stronger tracheal relaxation than amrinone at 3 micrograms/ml. On the other hand the general screening did not show any other major activity. The benzofurane derivatives 1-13 were obtained through obvious steps from the corresponding 7-nitrobenzofuranes, which were prepared by a Fischer indole-like cyclization of O-[(2-nitro)phenyl] ketone oximes. In one case two peculiar side products were isolated.

Choleretic activity of 3-[ring substituted benzotriazol-1(2)-yl]alkanoic and alkenoic acids.

In order to investigate the influence of structural modifications on the high choleretic activity of 3-(benzotriazol-1-yl)butanoic acid, a set of new benzotriazolyl alkanoic and alkenoic acids was prepared and, together with some other acids previously described, tested in rats by i.v. administration at the dose of 0.5 mmol/kg. Most of the tested compounds exhibited a good choleretic activity comparable with or higher than that of the model acid and of dehydrocholic acid (+56% mean increase of bile volume during 4 hours). Influence of nature and position of substituents was shown in some cases: a moderate decrease of activity was observed for methoxy derivatives and for the introduction of a methyl group in position 6, while a trifluoromethyl group in the same position enhanced the activity (10). Activity was maintained after the introduction of unsaturation in the chain (17,18), but was completely suppressed when unsaturation was associated with a shortening of the alkenoic chain (16). Moving the butanoic chain from position 1 to position 2 in the case of the nitroderivative (15) produced a striking increase of activity (from +42 to +118 mean variation of bile volume during 4 hours), while the same change in the unsubstituted acid 1 abolished the activity.

Quinolizidine derivatives with antitubercular activity.

By reacting lupinylmagnesium chloride with suitable aromatic ketones, several lupinyldiarylcarbinols were obtained, whose dehydration gave the corresponding lupinylidenediarylmethanes. By reduction of three of these unsaturated compounds, the corresponding lupinyldiarylmethanes were also obtained. Direct condensation of lupinine with fluorene gave the 9-epi-lupinylfluorene. The quinolizidine derivatives obtained were tested against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37RV. Nine compounds resulted endowed with good antitubercular activity with MIC < 8 micrograms/ml, while the remaining were only moderately active. Most interesting was the lupinylidene derivative 13 with MIC > 0.1 < 0.5 micrograms/ml.

N-[(N-halogenoacyl)imino]acenaphthene-quinoxalines as potential antitumoral agents.

Applying a reaction formerly studied by the Authors between acenaphthenequinone and N1-(2-amino)phenyl-N2-acylhydrazines, a group of N-[(N-alpha- and beta- halogenoacyl)imino]acenaphthenequinoxalines were obtained. On account of the reactivity of the halogen atom, they are potentially interesting as antitumoral agents. In contrast with the beta-chloropropionyl derivative, the alpha-halogenoacyl derivatives were formed in low yields and with the simultaneous loss of the whole halogenoacylimino group. Thus, an alternative synthetic route was set up, consisting in the N-imination of acenaphthenequinoxalines by means of O-mesitylenesulfonylhydroxylamine, followed by acylation of the intermediate N-iminoacenaphthenequinoxalines. The National Cancer Institute of Bethesda evaluated the activity against lymphocytic leukemia P 388 on some of the numerous compounds now described. Only the N-chloroacetyliminoacenaphthenequinoxaline exhibited, at the dose of 50 mg/Kg i.p., 35% increase of the average survival time of treated mice. All the remaining compounds were inactive.

N-[4-(R',R"-phenylazo)aryl]aminolupinanes with antitubercular activity.

A set of twelve N-[4-(R-phenylazo)aryl]aminolupinanes (10a-c; 11a-i) was prepared by coupling the suitably substituted phenyldiazonium salts with N-(2,3-xylyl)-aminolupinane and with N-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphth-1-yl)- aminolupinane. These compounds, as well as the N-(4-amino-2,3-xylyl)aminolupinane and the N-(4-amino-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphth-1-yl)-aminolupinane, that could be obtained from the former through an in vivo reductive cleavage of the azo group, exhibited a high activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37RV with M.I.C. in the range 0.1-1 microgram/ml.

Preparation and pharmacological activity of some 1-lupinylbenzimidazoles and 1-lupinylbenzotriazoles.

Twelve new 1-lupinyl-benzimidazole and 1-lupinyl-benzotriazole derivatives were prepared and, together with some previously described analogues, were tested for analgesic (hot plate test), antiinflammatory (against carrageenan edema), diuretic and antihypertensive (in spontaneously hypertensive rats) activities. Several compounds exhibited a good degree of activity in one or in more than one areas.

[Preparation and pharmacologic activity of N-oxides of 4'-(benzotriazol-2-yl-phenylalkanoic and -phenoxyalkanoic acids]. / Preparazione e attività farmacologica di n-ossidi di acidi 4'-(benzotriazol-2-il)-fenilalcanoici e-fenossialcanoici.

A number of N-oxides of 4'-(benzotriazol-2-yl)-phenylalkanoic and -phenoxyalkanoic acids bearing various substituents on position 6 of benzotriazole together with 4'-(benzotriazol-2-yl) phenylacetic acid were prepared and subjected to a wide pharmacological screening. Several compounds exhibited significant antiinflammatory and diuretic activities, while one was endowed with antihypertensive activity.